I wouldn’t have allowed Gadkari to quit: Rajnath

BRAHMAPURI: Newly-elected BJP president Rajnath Singh on Monday said that he was in favour of Nitin Gadkari continuing as the party president for a second term. "Unfortunately, on that day (January 22) he was in Mumbai. Had he been in New Delhi, I would not have allowed him to take that decision to quit from the party post and refuse another term in a row," said Rajnath addressing Gadkari as his (chhota bhai - younger brother).

Rajnath said the Congress government at the Centre had conspired to implicate Gadkari in false cases of financial irregularities. "The entire BJP will be in full strength to support you in your fight for the truth," he assured Gadkari amid applause by rows of farmers.

"He is a very sensitive person and it is no wonder that under the strain of false charges heaped on him, he decided to resign from the top post," said Rajnath.

Gadkari, who was earlier not scheduled to attend the rally, made it a point to accompany Rajnath here. He praised Rajnath calling him an elder brother who stood by him during the three years when he was BJP president

The former BJP president also hailed Rajnath's leadership qualities and said he was confident that under the new leader, the party would come to power in the 2014 general elections.

"Keep up the wining streak in Vidarbha and with your support I will win New Delhi," said Rajnath.